Black History Month

Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate the histories, contributions, resilience, and leadership of Black communities past and present. Each year, Black History Month is guided by a national theme developed by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, offering an opportunity to explore a specific aspect of Black history and lived experience.

In 2026, we continue to center learning, reflection, and celebration by uplifting Black voices, stories, and cultural contributions while acknowledging the ongoing impacts of history on today’s communities. Through programs, events, and shared learning, Black History Month invites us all to deepen our understanding of Black history, recognize its influence on our collective present, and commit to building more inclusive and equitable futures.

 Black History Month Events & Activities 

Black History Festival NW
Feb. 1–28, various times. A month-long cultural celebration featuring arts, performances, and community connections focused on Black history and creativity in the Northwest.
Month-long series – multiple venues

Black Portland History Scavenger Hunt
Sun, Feb. 1, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
A community-friendly history scavenger hunt exploring Black history in Portland, presented by World Stage Theatre and Oregon Black Pioneers.

NW Black Comedy Festival (Black History Month Series)
Feb. 16–22 A week of comedy performances featuring Black comedians and storytelling.

Cascade Festival of African Films
Website: Cascade Festival of African Films
Venue: Various locations in Portland

Trail Blazers: Celebration of Black History
Website: Portland Trail Blazers Official Site
Venue: Moda Center, Portland

Buffalo Soldiers Documentary Film Screenings
Website: https://buffalosoldiersmovie.com/

Oregon Black Pioneers - 450 Years in 45 Minutes
Website: Oregon Black Pioneers
Venue: Portland Community College Cascade, Portland

Black History Month at the Portland Art Museum - Multiple programs throughout February celebrating Black art, culture, and history with talks, films, community days, and performances.

• Free First Thursday: Thu, Feb. 5
• Meet the Curator: Fri, Feb. 6
• Miller Family Community Free Day: Sat, Feb. 22
• Black Orpheus (screening/event): Fri, Feb. 28

Donations
https://voiceofwitness.org/racial-justice-organizations/

Local Organizations/Resources
www.beavertonblackpeoplesunion.org/
www.westsideconnector.com/
www.imagineblack.org/
www.coalitioncommunitiescolor.org/
www.uniteoregon.org/
https://ulpdx.org/
https://www.thebpi.org/
www.multco.us/children-and-family-health-services/healthy-birth-initiative
https://centralcityconcern.org/recovery-location/imani-center/
www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American/

Local Businesses
https://tualatinvalley.org/activities/arts-culture-museums/black-owned-businesses/
https://jelanasbakeshop.com/
https://www.lucilleandanniespoundcakes.com/
https://iloveblackfood.com/
https://creolemeup.com/
https://nesacemedia.com/

Videos
Why Did Europeans Enslave Africans? (youtube.com)
Why Do We Say "African American"? - YouTube
The Origin of Race in the USA (youtube.com)
The Racist Origins of U.S. Law (youtube.com)
The Black Explorer Erased From History (youtube.com)
Tuskegee: Where a Hospital Became a Battleground (youtube.com)
How You See Me

1619 Project (Also a Hulu series and Podcast!)
The 1619 Project - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Seneca Village
https://www.centralparknyc.org/articles/seneca-village

Oregon’s Black Pioneers--OPB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRbzoVS0c0M

Black People in Oregon
Black People in Oregon (oregonencyclopedia.org)

National Museum of African American History and Culture
Celebrate Black History Month 2024 | National Museum of African American History and Culture (si.edu)

History-Making Black Americans
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/g25954127/african-american-historical-figures/

Books
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2023/10/books-black-authors-reading-list

Podcasts
https://theeverygirl.com/black-history-podcasts/

Film
https://www.afi.com/news/black-history-month-movie-guide/

Black Activists and Educators to Follow on Social Media
https://tgwstudio.com/black-influencers-organizations-activists-to-follow-on-instagram/
https://theinfluenceagency.com/blog/black-activists-to-follow/